It was just announced on KBON that Bois Sec Ardoin passed away last night, May 16, 2007, at the age of 92.

Bois Sec lived a long and fruitful life. He will be missed in the Cajun and Creole music communities.

I knew Boisec a little from being his student at Augusta. My friend Celine and I once visited him in Duralde, He was a true gentleman, a warm person, and had a wonderful, personal style of creole accordion playing.

Cher Boisec
Tu nous a donné un tas d'agrément.
Bon voyage!
Bonne vie dans le paradis.
On va s'ennuyer de toi !

Very sad news indeed. I loved Bois Sec and his playing. The few times I got a chance to hear him play, a few notes and you knew that the accordion was being played by a master. What a soulful, gentle style. Dear Mr. Bois Sec, thank you for your music.

Rob K.

Very sad to hear. But he lived a long and full life, left an indelible mark on the Cajun/Creole world, and touched many people. Not many can say that.

Link to a performance of Bosco Stomp with Bois Sec and Canray switching off midway to Nathan Abshire and the Balfa Brothers. Love the crowd response!

Photo from a Festivals Acadien, maybe 1976 or 7. Not sure who was shading him.

We owe him and Canray a lot! RIP

That's sad. Now I feel terrible that I never saw him play.

I absolutely love his version of "Tes Parents Veulent Pas me Voire" with Canray.

Nick B

Sad news for us. I loved hearing him play. I bet they are having a big dance in heaven...

Truly one of the greats....I regret I never got to see
him play. He was scheduled last October when I was in Lafayette with Maurice &
Dexter but he wasn't able to make it that night..

On loan to us each for what may seem a brief span on the time line of just living... He made good use of his time musically, giving us all some of his gifts of sound and then some. At 92.. well, we should be so fortunate our own self, it's not a bad age to take leave and cut the song off his way.

Yep...One of four people that I have encountered the opportunity to give a fine pocket watch, just for being who he was on the inspiration end of matters...and keeping matters moving forward for what it's all about.
Why a pocket watch? (you may wonder)
Because it is a gesture of time I suppose, especially to an old man that sports a working hat one minute and a fine head piece for social matters the next... perhaps it's realizing that eventually it runs down and must be rewound by someone that it gets handed off to so as to keep matters going forward.
I suppose only those that recieved such a time piece understands the importance of passing it on, realizing it has the abiity to still keep ticking beyond your days (they are numbered naturally). Then again perhaps as a way of remembering what it's all about (from my alledged long winded porch yapping perspective) .. but we know (some do..not all) and he knew as well (of that I am sure). I knew because it was in his eyes and in his expression when he slipped it into those bib overalls, it tells a story in it's own humble way. Oh I suppose it may well be raining where he is now, but I'll bet he's dry while others are scrambling for cover.. I could picture him having a dandy laugh over that one. We can be all right with what musical bridges he left behind, as long as as we don't let em rust out and fall apart.. so long old friend, and thanks for the dandy porch yapping segments, it ment more than you may know, perhaps far more than I may have told ya.

Nonc D